YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Our firm is happy to help our clients with all their tax and accounting questions. Below are some of the most frequently asked. Remember, everyone’s tax and financial situation is different! If your question isn’t addressed here, and you’d like to talk to someone about a specific issue, please get in touch with us.

QUESTION: Dear Taxman – I am the administrator of my Mother’s estate. All she owned at the time of her death was her car, her house and a few investments which were all sold at a loss. Am I required to file an estate income tax return? ANSWER: Dear Reader – An estate tax return, form… Continue Reading

QUESTION: Dear Taxman – I am starting a small business. What software should I use to keep track of my business transactions? ANSWER: Dear Reader – If you are only selling one product or service, Excel is good for tracking incoming and outgoing money in a list format that you can sort and search. If your business is much larger,… Continue Reading

QUESTION: Dear Taxman – This summer I started a lawn mowing business and made about $3,000 mowing grass. However, my expenses were more than my income. Do I need to report it on my tax return? ANSWER: Dear Reader: The IRS requires all business income to be reported when you file your tax return. You… Continue Reading

QUESTION: Dear Taxman – My Daughter graduated from college in May of this year. She started working in September and expects to make about eleven thousand dollars this year. Can we still claim her as a dependent for this year? ANSWER: Dear Reader: To claim her as a dependent in any year, she must have been a… Continue Reading

QUESTION: Dear Taxman – What is the due date for filing my W-2’s with the Social Security Administration? ANSWER: Dear Reader – You’re probably aware that W-2 forms must be provided to your employees by January 31st. The IRS has set the due date for filing your W-2’s with the Social Security Administration to January… Continue Reading

QUESTION: Dear Taxman – I have a small business and I am not sure if I should give my workers 1099’s or W-2’s. Can you tell me how to determine which way to go? ANSWER: Dear Reader – It’s not uncommon for small business owners to be confused about the right way to handle their… Continue Reading

QUESTION: Dear Taxman – I donate money to different non-profit organizations. Every year my Tax Preparer deducts some but not all of them. I thought donations to all non-profit groups were tax deducible. ANSWER: Dear Reader – Non-profit groups don’t pay income taxes on money you give them. That does not mean you get a… Continue Reading

QUESTION: Dear Taxman – I use my car in my business occasionally. I have paid for all my gas with my debit card so I have a record of how much gas I purchase. Is there anything else I need to do to deduct my auto through my business? ANSWER: Dear Reader – The record… Continue Reading

QUESTION: Dear Taxman – Every week I place cash in the collection plate at church. I recently heard I cannot deduct it since I have no banking record. Is that true? ANSWER: Dear Reader – As of August 16, 2006 a receipt from the donee organization or a bank record such as a cancelled check… Continue Reading

QUESTION: Dear Taxman – When should I refinance my home? ANSWER: Dear Reader – Refinancing becomes worth your while if the current interest rate on your mortgage is at least 2 percentage points higher than the prevailing market rate. Talk to several lenders to find out the current refinancing rates and what costs are associated… Continue Reading

QUESTION: Dear Taxman – How long am I required to keep my tax records? ANSWER: Dear Reader – You should save all your income tax records for the current year and six previous years. Certain tax records like your income tax returns should be kept permanently. Property settlement transaction documents should be kept for four… Continue Reading